Can we please have a message of hope for these people and places.

The South Coast got battered last year..please send prayers.

My thoughts and prayers goes out to the people on the Gulf Coast, as I watch the sufferiing it bring tears to my eyes.

I pray that God will watch over them as the suffering and frustration goes on.

Thanks for the posting, Big Cat. I'd been so busy watching the news about it, I forgot to put something up here.

The Gulf Shores area of the United States has been devastated by Katrina.

Besides prayers and positive energy, most of the requests for assistance are asking for donations to the Red Cross via their web site or phone at 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669).

Our best wishes and thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and the courageous relief workers.

-TBNet

Katrina is the main topic of conversation in Treasure Beach these days. Ivan was so devestating to us last year, but now looks like very little compared to what the folks affected by Katrina are going through.

We remember the shock and feelings of helplessness we all had following Ivan. But yet, we did not have to deal with the massive flooding issues, lack of water and food, etc. We had drinking water brought in to the community the very next day and a shipment of food the day after, followed by more shipments of each with water being brought in over the next two weeks until our water supply was restored. So much was accomplished so quickly with government, businesses, and individuals all coming together to help. I remember how very hot and humid it was the days following the hurricane and cannot imagine not being able to obtain water for drinking.

Everyone here is sending thoughts and prayers their way and there are fund raising efforts starting in Jamaica as we do feel we would like to give back some of what was given to us during Ivan.

It's not ALL bad. I just came back from volunterring to help evacuees in Dallas. The DFW Hilton has almost 300 there and everything is set up for them. They were given rooms, phone cards, Internet access, clothes, shoes, toys and lots of sympathy and assistance.
There is a housing search set up on the Internet, a place to search for people and record status of others on MSNBC, and job fairs going on. Yes, you're right the news is terribly depressing and the situation is bad but I feel better knowing that this type of caring and coordinated effort is going on all over Texas and other states.

Its good to hear that assistance is finally reaching those poor people.

It will be interesting to see what fallout comes from this, and who loses jobs and gets voted out of office.

Let's hope we'll all learn some lessons from this debacle!

The CHILD Organization is collecting funds to help children who are victimized by Katrine. Please go to our website (http://childorganization.org/) and make your pledge

The nerve of you. Speak the whole truth and speak it clear and never let a half truth be near. Propaganda and human life differ greatly in the scheme of life. We are not asking for money from those who can't give...but be aware what you are reporting is mostly a sin. All we ask are prayers and love. Many sent money for Ivan to keep your tourist home afloat and employment of the citizens and their survival. God bless all of the Treasure Beach community. And hopefully God will bless the ongoing suffering of those in America today. Thank you. Christine Kaitz... A proud annual visitor of Treasure Beach for many years. (Just to let anyone who reads this, and knows us) my sister a frequent visitor to Treasure Beach and giver, is risking her life to save lives. She is NOT in Dallas. She is in New Orleans. She does not have a hotel, a call card, etc. She is collecting bodied. Who cares who wins what political post at what election? At this point of life we have been taught again that mother nature will win. Let's take care of eachother. Love Love Love a mother.

When I refer to "the nerve of you" I am responding directly to Janice from Villa Ja Ja. I honor and respect Ms. Honeyghan and her inspirations. I will advise this website that if you want to continue to post what you think is important and not post what is important per your discretion you should have thought of Ms. JA JA. I will and will continue to support the community of Treasure Beach and all I want from you is love and prayers for our country. ALL IS NOT WELL. ALL IS NOT SAFE. MANY ARE STILL DYING. YOU NEED TO SEND POSITIVE LOVE. It is disgraceful and actually insulting to a tourist like me who has given without question to see such "propaganda" on this site. I will not value you anymore. You have proved to me what has been believed by so many others. You are the classic example of what is wrong with this world. Step up. Send Positive. I am so angry you printed that note from "JaJa" but won't print other ideas or opinions regarding (oops can't say) what happens in your area. Do not risk your tourism and income based on "ja Ja " facts. They are wrong and insulting. Christine Kaitz

Christine Kaitz, what are you smoking? All Janice said was that, while the news is bad (terrible, depressing, awful, etc), there are some bright spots. She gave her experience of helping out those in her area. I say kudos to her for doing so.

Please, read these messages carefully before responding to them. You might save yourself some embarrassment in the future.

POEM DEDICATED TO HURRICANE VICTIMS

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM (Hurricane Katrina, 2005)

In the eye of the storm is the eye of a God
full of matchless wisdom,
who understands the uncontrollable mystery
of a raging storm and how its turbulence is satisfied.

In the eye of the storm—fierce and scolding,
Is the eye of a God—far more powerful,
who glanced down on his helpless people,
in times of old, split apart the Red Sea;
the congealing waters stood up like walls,
opening up a path so his people walked
on a dry bed of land.

In the eye of the storm is the eye of God—full of love,
that roved through swollen and overflowing rivers
through bright shoots of lightning
and saw that mankind needed a savior,
and sent his son to die for even the vilest sinner.

In the eye of the storm is the eye of God,
who searches through the shattered visage,
the colossal wreckage,
finds a heart that loves peace,
truth and righteousness, and he cherishes
and nurtures this golden nugget.

In the eye of a storm is the eye of a God who sees
multitudes who crouch with horror and grisly fear,
and, howling out their woes they cry:
“O God! O God! Have mercy! Have mercy!”
This God will hearken to their cry.

In the eye of a storm is a God who looks
at the afflicted who run and leave behind all paraphernalia
and watch their homes go up
hurtling through the air and falling as fragments of debris,
This God promises riches untold.

In the eye of a storm is the eye of a caring God
who looks cautiously at violent waves
that abash so many of those who come face
to face with this formidable foe,
and he rescues them.

In the eye of a storm is a God with eyes—amazingly keen,
who through the howling winds that
snapped giant trees like tiny twigs,
can look far into the distance of time—the future
sees into the heart of the deepest grave
at the unsurvived—those whose corpses float in a ruined city,
*And He’ll bring them back to life.

This God—Jehovah—will quiet all storms
Bring repose to those in distress
Bring about evenings where all
will be at peace—no storm—forever

—Glasceta Honeyghan (2005)
*John 5: 28, 29; Revelation 21: 3, 4

I am touched seeing that people so far away in TB care about what has happened in my country. As the stories unfold, we are only beginning to see the extent of devastation from Katrina. There's no telling yet the actual number of deaths. People still desperately searching for loved ones. Worse still are the unspeakable atrocities committed by people in the aftermath. I hear 80 percent of the New Orleans police force are homeless themselves, and all this time without rest... please continue to pray for the good in the human spirit to prevail. At times like this we must cling to the stories of hope, of families reunited, people found and rescued. Thank you for your love and prayers.
Stunned In West Virginia

Dear Perplexed,
I do not smoke ANYTHING. I just pray. Don't jinx reality or agree on a minor not complete report/ message. If you were really aware you would not be perplexed. Also my children and relatives contact this website. You have insulted Jamaica by using that term "smoke" to perpetuate that everyone that has an oppinion opposite of that posted must "smoke". "Smoke" what? I do not appreciate your quick judgement and lack of respect for all humans. There is no way that you can embarass me. I actually care about humans. I can guarantee to TB.net that I will never address this website again. And I can guarantee that Rebecca will filter this message and never address anything that doesnt't work for her or Jason. And I can guarantee more. Let's see if this gets printed. Christine Kaitz

A TRIBUTE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINE


THE TERROR OF A STORM (Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Coast, 2005)

The world’s gone mad about terrorist attacks,
But don’t be fooled my friend, because
we are mastered by a more advancing and furious foe
that seeps into the everyday rhythm of some,
With rapid quavering cadence
And ruin their tranquility.

It’s the fisherman who
watches the wind-tossed waves
jump high, and, with a swift drawing roar,
it retreats and sucks in his only boat and net
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s the aged man and woman who
quiver in the loins, who,
through a veil of haze
watch their life-time’s worth
lifted and tossed upside down
in a hopeless heap; they slip into bitter memories,
but must work toward a fine forgetfulness,
For there’s no time left to rebuild.
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.
It’s the farmer toiling long and hard
Then watching in confused alarm
the tiny seedlings set in rows,
rush off and down a gorging gully way
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s the small business owner—uninsured,
who watches his roof a-sail and
his flood-drenched merchandise,
and the only retribution is a slow-coming hope
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.


It’s the couple passionately awaiting
the church to exchange vows—now
flung off its foundation.
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s evacuating your home—reluctantly,
Then returning to bareness
And where’s your neighbor’s?
Flattened as if by a roller.
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s the rocketing thunder
It’s the poor made twice as poor;
It’s watching those in prosperous homes run from comfortable quarters, run as if there’s a siege
It’s clocks that have ceased
It’s the thumping rain like a dreaded hand
It’s telephones silenced, streetlamps out
It’s the dead floating in a ruined city—in attics, crumpled in wheelchairs, abandoned on highways, and their name is REFUGEE in their own land.
It’s dragging your meager belongings to where?
It’s none behind the gas pump. It’s the GREAT DREAM becoming rape, murder, languishing in the DOME
It’s the repeated refrain, “We need help! We need help!” And beneath are moaned scriptures.
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s like the heavens filled with too much tears,
Rain down on man its weighted woe, the sea lashing out its plaintive cries, the wind its fury
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s the terrified child squealing
and the mother squealing back
because there are no comforting words
to rise above her ragged heartbeat
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

It’s the children looking
at their playground, now an untidy spot, a streambed

And where are all the flowers, the vegetation gone?
It’s the earth left in a woeful state
blasted and lying untidy like a distinct damnation; Where is the city? Its inhabitants in ache and awe. Where are the pulpits to preach salvation? Lain alongside prisons, bars, and casinos.
And there are those of us—spared, looking on,
And the great mystery remains, “Is this an act of God punishing the bad?
”No!” The Bible says, “with evil God cannot be tried.”
But a great haunting fear persists.
That too is terror, and no
power of man can turn it back.

And this dreadful thing must run its course
As we take fresh tasks of cleaning Nature’s handiwork
And look forward to a land of hope, when
We’ll be led by the Greater Leader—Jesus Christ
Who stilled the waters of the storm-tossed sea, and
*Will guide our hand to quiet shores in Earth’s Paradise where all terror will be gone—FOREVER.
* Revelation 21:3,4; Psalm 37:9, 11
--Glasceta Honeyghan, 2005

Wow

Sometimes we take things too personally , Janice from Villa Ja Ja did not get what she wrote as second hand news she was there. I understand that in other parts its different, so she should not have reported as if she tour the states that have felt the might of HURRICANE KATRINA. As far as I can see TB.Net should not face trial for Janice all she said was "its not all bad" its a forum and TB.Net are'nt responsible for Janice. I bet they thought it was good to know that somewhere there's good because all we see is bad, so some good news should'nt go a miss, because of the devastation we need to know the good news too. I don't feel insulted by perplexed "smoke" we all have different views and mine has been aired in the past, you blame the site for posting it, are'nt you contridicting yourself because Janice reported what she saw so she has an opinion see there TREASUREBEACH.NET is'nt not one sided after all.

To Glasceta Honeyghan, thank you for that last incredible poem. I was breathless reading it; I am in awe that someone has words in a situation where sometimes there are none...
Grateful in West Virginia

Suzanne,
Thanks a million!

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS! CHILD organization has launched a fundraising effort to collect children's books for children who have been displaced by hurricane Katrina. We will focus on assisting one elementary school that has absorbed a vast majority of these children. We plan to take the books directly to that school. Please see our website(childorganization.org)or send me an e-mail.

Many thanks

RESPECT FOR THE DEAD IN LOUISIANA

Can anyone explain to me why the dead bodies must be left along the wayside to decay. Why couldn't volunteers be retrieving the bodies while others are rescuing the living?